Ubuntu 9.10, code-named Karmic Koala, debuted in late Oct 2009. And unlike the commercial operating systems, Ubuntu is totally free;it doesn't cost you a dime. Eric Geier tells you all you need to know about this nifty Ubuntu upgrade.

Even if you don't know what Linux is, you might want to check out Ubuntu. It is an operating system, comparable to Windows. It can open you up to a whole new worldan open source community where the software flows freely.

Some open source applications might not be as physically attractive as commercial software, but you'll find a comparable application for most commercial ones. Plus, many open source applications are supported on both Linux and Windows, and maybe Mac OS X.

Upgraded to GNOME 2.28

The default desktop project that provides the core user interface of Ubuntu is GNOME. In this newest Ubuntu release, GNOME has been upgraded from 2.26 to 2.28.

This upgrade brings many improvements and new features. The GNOME Bluetooth module debuts, the Empathy Instant Messenger has been improved, and many other miscellaneous improvements and bug fixes have been made.